Electric indicator.



PATENTED JUNE 12 G. S. BBLE.

ELECTRIC INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 7, 1905.

3 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

PATENTED JUNE 12, 1906,

G. s. EBLE. ELECTRIC INDICATOR;

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 7,1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

//V VE N TOR BY A TTOHNEYS fs 'w substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

parts of the receiver located at the ri catc'd. The contact-makin UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. GROVER s. EBLE, or NhwYoRK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC lNDICATORa Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. June 12, 1906 Application filed August 7,1905. SerlalNo. 272.987.

To all) whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GRovER S. EBLE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Electric Indicators, of which t e following is a specification. My invention relates to electrically-operated devices for indicating at a distance the position of movable parts-as, for instance, the position of a ship s rudder or the position which is'given a handle in order to transmit orders to the engineer of a steamship, articularly a maneof-war. While devise especi'ally'for use on board shi s, my invention obviously willbe applicab e wherever it is desired to transmit intelligence to a distance. The object of my invention is to simplify apparatus used hitherto for the pur ose named and, above all, to reduce the num er of wires or electrical connections re uired.

I will now proceed to escribe in detail three applications of m invention and will then point out its nove features in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the ing drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagram of a helm-indicator embod 'ng my invention. Fig. 2 is a face view the indicator proper or what may be termed the receiver of the electrical apparatus. Fig. 3 is a sectional View of part of the transmitter, the contact-maker, taken Fig. 4 is a detail section of the receiver on line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail View of the transmitter. Fig. 6 is a diagram of an enginetelegra h embodying my invention, and Fig. 7 is a iagram showing another form of engine-telegraph.

In Figs. 1 to 5 I have represented a helmindicator constructed accordin to myinvention. 40 designates the rudd er-post, with which is connected an arm 41, extending forward in the construction shown and carrying four contact-making members adapted to cooperate with certain stationary contact-segments to transmit the current to the rcper pilot-house, conningtower, or wherever it is desired to have the position-0f helm indimembers are shown in detail in Fig. 3, eac of them comprising a carbon rod or block 42, which is fite ted within a metal tube 43 and pressed by a accomp any- .extent (in degrees) to the five spring 44 toward the contact-segment. I The other end of the spring bears against a plunger or follower 45, adjustable by means of a screw-rod 46, to which the plunger issecured. This rod screws in a cap 47, which is screwed on the end of the tube 43 opposite to that from which the carbon 42 pro ects. 46 has a milled head 48 for turning it. The tube 43 is fitted in an insulating-sleeve 49, set in a through-o ening of the arm 41. The sleeve 49 is hel in place by a nut 50 and the tube 43 by a nut 51 on one side. the inner end of the cap 47 and the sleeve 49 a conducting-strip 52 engages the tube 43 and extends to the adjacent contact-makin member, where it is similarly en aged. Washers 53 maybe located, if desire between the cap 47 and the conducting-strip 52. It will be understood that the two inner or lower carbons 42 are electrically connected through the medium of a strip 52, and so are the two outer or u per carbons; but one set is absolutely insu' ated from the other.

Corresponding to the four contact-making members and in the paths of the carbons 42 are four sets or arcs of contact-segments. The outermost set comprises a series of segments 54 of varying lengths, according to the angles it is desired to indicate, the usual angle indications for helm-indicators being 0, %o,n 072; 1: 0):: a 0,)! a 0, and The second and the innermost carbons 42 are adapted to engage a single continuous segment 55 and 56, respectively. The third are is formed by a plurality of segments 57, the s aces between which should be in line (radially) with the intervals between certain of the outer segments 54, as will be fully explained presently. The segments 55 and 56 are connected, as by wires 58 and 59, with the terminals of a d namo or other source of electricity. T e other two sets of segments 54 and 57 are connected with the receiver.

In principle the receiver comprises as many signal devices-for instance, incandescent electric'lamps 60-as there are segments 54, these signals being arranged in as many groups as t ere are segments 57. All of the amps of one set have one terminal connected with the same one of the three return-wires 61, leading to the respectivesegments- 57 The centralsegment 57 whichcorresponds in central segments 54, is connected with five lamps 60 by Between,

The rod wires 62 as there are lam inclusion of the same 'num er of lamps in each set is preferred, as this allows of the greatest p the third segmentofthe three that are con-. nected, as hereinbefore described, or with the ,lin'e wire 62." It" will be seen that twopf the l req r l d while'forfthe' I illustrated by Fig. 1 the gap .54, and the groups or fit manner to be stated presently. Similarly each of the two end segments 57 corresponds to or registers with five of the outer se ments five lamps connected witl a these outer segments are connected by one of the return-wires 61 with the corresponding segment 57. I

The connection of the segments 54 with the terminals of the lamps 60, opposite'to those connected with the wires 61, is effected by section-wires 62, of which there are one-third asmany as there are lamps and segments, 'or, in other words, with the same number of lamps-(five) in each set, there are as many s in one set. The

economy in the'number of return-wires. The

adjacent end segments 54 of two different sets'and the corresponding lamps are-connected with the'same wire 62, as are also the segment 54 at the opposite end of the third group and the lamp corresponding to such segment.

the two lamps marked 5 and 74, respectively, and it will be seen that the two lamp: adjacent to the mar ed35 of the third group or set are con nected with the same wire .62, and the same thing is true, of course, of the three correspondingsegments 54; Similarly the lamps marked 24 and 10 of two adjacent sets and the lamp marked 25 of the third set are connected with the same wire 62, and so on-that lamp 'and' forming a screen therefor.

is, those lamps of adj acent sets which are at the same distance from the gap intervening be sets are connected with the tween said-two This rule of course applies same wire 62'.

.only when the arrangement of the lamps, at' the receiver'is the same as the arran ement fprefer' of the corresponding segments 54. this arrangement, which has been shown in, the drawings.

The details of the receiver are shown in Figs. 2'and 4. Said receiver com rises a box 63, having a suitable cover 64, he d down by screws 65, a washer 66 being emp oyed at the joint. Upon the back of the casing are lo-' cated a'serlesof receptacles 67, adapted to re- In registry with each'oi' ceive' the lamps 6Q. the'l'amps-tio the cover 64 is ro'vided with an opening and a short screw-t eaded sleeve 68, which receives a tube 69, surrounding a The ends ofthe tubes 69 fit close to a partition 7 0.

Each of the openings of the cover is preferably designated in some suitable way'as',' for 1nsta'nce, by means of the transparent disk 71-- which bears a numeral, such as shown in Figs.

i v 1 and 2, such disk being held'ina ring 72,

screwed" inside the sleeve 68 arid bearing against the washer 7'3. This simple construc- Thus in the arrangement occursbetween gap and the lamp -nect ion will. be properly altered,

tion of the receiver enables every part'thereof to be readily removed for repairs or-renewal. In Fig. 5 I have shown in detail the preferred way of securing the segments 54, 55, 56, or 57 to the base carrying them. 54 in dicates one of the contact-s e smooth face on that side whic engaged by the carbon 42 and provi ed on the other side with two or more screw-threaded recesses 74, adapted to receive "one end of screws 75 and 76, respectively, which extend through the base orsupport 77. 76 has an enlarged portion 76. tapped to receive a screw 7 6", which fastens awirewholding terminal 7 8 connected by; a wire 62" 'th a corresponding wire-h A second wire-holding terminal lied to the screw 76 toi conn'ect it either with three connected segments '54 wire-holding terminals .78 '79, third segment one suchterminal wil be-si fli; cint' ments having a 1 is ada ted to be The screw lder on the"'other.se ment 54, which is tobe connected 'therewit 7 91s also ap=,

The 0 eration of my impro'ved hl'hi'ndi cator wil now be readilyunderstood. Let I- usassume that the position of the rudder i's j such as to cause the arm 41 with its carbons 54 to stand in line with the left hand segment 54, marked 7 4 in Fig. 1 The currentjwill then pass from the 'positi've'wire 58 tothe 'con,"

tact-segment 55, the corresponding carbon 42, the outermost carbon 4 2,' the segment 54,"

marked 74, the corresponding Section- "wire 62, the lamp marked f7%"" at the lefthand side, the return-wire 61, corresponding to said set, the left-hand segment 57 the car bon 42 in contact theife'w ithg the innermost carbon 42, theinnermost segment 56, and the negative wire-59.

This will cause the marked 74 starboard to be lighted. v

asmuch as thecontact-arm- 41 extendsiorg wardlrom the rudder- 0st in the construcvious that the posito the position of.

arm 41 to oi't position U I of said arm will correspond to t e starboard tion shownflt will'be 0 tion of said arm is contrary the helmth at is, a osition of the the left, as shown in 1,1 or a position of the h'elmand therefore all the amps connected: with the left-hand hall of the segments 54 will indicate starboard p ositioris of the helm. In v 41 should be differently arranged, the con;

gagetwo such segments, and consequfintllv.

case the, contact-arm so that the,

two lamps will be lighted, thujs showing that V the position of thehelm is exactly between two of the indications.. 1 segment 57 to the other the return-circuitwill,

be thrown from one wire 61 to thene it, If

I Pa r m sa e.

. same section-wire 62 and the use'of a separate wire 61 for each group only one lamp will be lighted at a time, except in cases where the carbon 42 engages two adgacent segments 54, and 'in such cases the lig ting of two adjacent lam s will cause no confusion, since it will mean t at the position ofthe helm is exactl between the two indications. It will be 0 served that while there are fifteen lamps only eight wires are required for making thenecessary connections between the transmitter and receiver parts of the apparatus.

I will now describe the application of my invention to a so-called en 'ne-telegraph that is, a device for enab' g orders to be sent from the brid e or other place to the engine-room for the Taster or slowerrunning of the engine and for enabling the engineer to give an answering signal, showing that he has understood the order.

The apparatus also, therefore, comprises two separate parts, each of which, however, answers at different times as a receiver and as a transmitter. cate the main'wires connected with the source of electricity. At the ordering instrument the wire is connected with'a stationa segment 82, and the wire 81 .is co ected with a stationary carbon contact 83 w ich in the normal position engages both of two seg.

ments 84 and 85, secured to a lever 86, but insulated from each other. The lever 86 carries four-carbon contacts, which may be constructed in detail in the same manner as shown in Fig. 3 and described with reference thereto, except that all of these carbon contacts are electricall "connected with each other, but insulated 220m the segments 84 85. The inner carbon contact 87 is .alwa s in engagement with the segment 82. T e other three carbon contacts on the lever are normally out of engagement with the segments withwhich they are adapted to make contact. The outer arc of segments 88 is adapted to be engaged by the outer carbon 89, said segments being spaced from each other, but electrically connected, as shown. A wire 90 leads from this outer set 'of segments at the bridge to one terminal of the call-bell or other signal 91, located at the engine part of the apparatus, the other terminal of said sig nal being connected by a wire 92 with the main wire 81. It will thus be seen that as soon as the contact-carbon 89 en ages one of the segments 88 the current wil pass from the main 80 to the segment 82, carbon 87,

-In Fig. 6, 80 and 81 indicarbon 89, contact-segment 88, wire 90, signal 91, and wire 92 to the main 81, thus operating the signal 91 in the calling the engineer's attention to the fact that an order is about to be given. The two inner arcs of segments 93 and 94 are arranged so as to be in the spaces radially between the outer segments 88. The segments 93, of which there are eight, as shown in the examplethat is, as many as the number of indications to be transmitted-ere arranged in two groups and are connected with four secengine-room and tron-wires 95, 96, 97, and 98, respectively that is, two segments 93 are connected with the same wire. One of the groups containing four segments 93 is for transmitting orders for reducing speed, and the other group, which is shown at the right, is for transmitting orders for the increase of speed. The rule as to the connection of said segments is that two segments of different groups, which are at the same distance from the gap separating the groups, should be connected with the same section-wire. Thus the two segments 93 adjacent to the gap are connected with the wire 98. Thenext two segments are connected with the wire 9 7,While those farthest away from the normal position of the lever 86 are connected with the wire 95. At the other part of the apparatus in the engineroom the wires 95, 96, -97, and '98 are connected with two groups of lamps 99, bearing suitable indications corresponding to the Slower and Faster indications of the sending or transmitting apparatus. These lamps are connected with the' four sectionwires just mentioned, in accordance with the same rule which has been set forth concerning the connection of the segments 93 of said wiresthat is, lamps which are at the same distance from the ap separating the two groups are connected with the same sectionwire. The other terminals ofthe lam s 99 are connected with two segments 100 an 101 each corresponding to one of the groups of lamps. These segments 100 and 101 are connected by return-wires 102 and 103, respec- -tively,w1th the segments 84 and 85, respectively, on thelever 86. The segments 93 are adapted to be engaged by the carbon 104.

Supposing the captain or officer in charge desires to send an order to increase the speed according to indication 1; He then moves the lever 86 over to the right until the carbon-104 engages the first se ment 93 of the group marked Faster. lhe initial movement of the lever sounds the alarm or signal 91 in the engine-room, as has ment 93- above mentioned the following circuit is closed from the main80 to segment 82: carbon 87, carbon 104, segment 93, sectionwire 98, that lamp 99 of the right-hai1d group which bears the numeral 1, segment 101,'re'

turn-wire 103, segment 85, carbon 83, and

been described above. As soon as the carbon 104 engages, thefsegbeen ex ordering apparatus The segments. 108- are connected by a.wire,1'09 with one terminal. of a hell or. signal 1.1.0, the other terminal of which. is. connected! by awire 11-1 with the main Thus Whenever the= engineer brings the contact carbon 1:07 ononeof the segments L08 a circuit will be closed as fol lows: from themain. 80 toithe wire-1e11, sig nal 1110, wire 109, one oii the segments 1'08, canbon 107,oarbon\ 106, segment on 1:01, according"to-the positionof the lever 11051 to the left or-right, neturnswire 102'or-1'03, respectively, segment 84 on 85, respectively, carbon 83, ande main 81 The-si nali at the brid e-is thus operated to-cal .the attention; of t e officer in, charge The lever 1 05=carriesa further contact-carbon.1:12, electrically connected with thetwo contact-carhonslGfi and; 1:07. and adapted to engage a seriesofi segments 113', arranged: in two-groups and disposed out of linewith the segments'1 08, so; that the lever 105, shall? not connect with the-segments 108 and Ill-3st the same timel Thesegments 1 153 are connected with four section-wines. 11.4,. 115, 116', and 117, according to the same rule which. has lained: hereinbefore-that is, seg ments 0. the two. groups which. are at the same distance firom. the groups are connected: wit the same sectionr wine. Thewires 114i, 115, 116, and 11-7 leadto the ordering-- apparatus and: are connected with two-groups of. lam s 118, arranged: to light proper. dials or in ieations, as shown, each wire being connectediwith. two lamps, whichane at the same distance from the gap so stating the two groups of lamps, The 0t er terminals of said lamps 118 are connested-by wires 119 with the third; set of segments 94', arranged in positions corresponding to the segments 93: and adapted; to be engaged by the fiourth contact-carbon;

upon the leverSfi. V

The operation of this part of the apparatus is as follows: Suppose the lever 86. has been. moved over to stand: over the lamp 118 at the right-hand. side marked 1., so as to make contact between the carbons 104 and moand the respective segments 93 and 94; This will ring the bell,- 91' and give theproper signal by lighting one of. the lamps 99 as pre gap. separating the thereby, the Signet-lamps,

seamsviously set forth. 'llhen when the engineen moves the lever 105 over the lamp- 99. just lighted this will first cause the belli 1 1.0 to be rung and willthen close the following circuit upon: engagement of the carbon, 1112; with the segment 1 13, which is inline with, the lighted lamp, it being understood! that the lever-86 is left in the position to whieh it hasbeenshifted togive the ordermaim 80, segment 82, carbon 87,, carbon 120, segment 9.45;, that lam 118 ct theright-hand' group which is mar ed 1, section wire 1 14-, the-first sag ment 113 of the righthand group, carbon 112 carbonv 106, segment 101i, retumewire 1:03, segment 85, carbon. 83, and main- 81;. Thusat the bridge-the lamp 1180ftheright hand group. marked 1 will be lighted, thereby showing to the ofiicer that his'order has been understood. The ofiicerwill; then move the lever 86 back toiits ori inal position, and similarly the engineerwifi bring-the lever 105 to its normal position. If this latter operation were-not performed, thecarbon 106would be in contactwithonliy cneotthe segments. LOO-or 101-, and. onesidect the tip-- paratus. in the engine-room would: not is s 0nd. to any signal intended tobe given t tough the contactlOe and segmentsi93'.

The call apparatus constituted by thebell 91. will, however, work, in; any; event, so. that it the bell 91 rin s and nodampfiildslighted the engineer wil .know that the lever lefiis not in. its proper normal. positionl and; Willilfl store it to such osition.

It is to be an erstood that disconnection of; the carbon 83 with either-0t the segments 84 or- 85 is to be broken. before connection is. made between the carbon 104: and: the first lamp-segment 93. Similarly the connection ot the carbon 106 with either ofjthe segment 1 00 or 101 is to be broken; before the carbon l w-engages the first segment 1.13.

In; the form of engine-telegra h. shown. in. Fig. 7 the arrangement ot, the ca 1; apparatus, the lovers 86 andg105 andthecontacts carried; the returnrcir cuits, and: the segments93, 94, amd-113is exaetly the same as in Fig; 6. The difference lies entirely in the connection, ot the lam s line andnot between. the-lamp and the correr spending segment 9 1.

At the engine a paratus (shown at the right in Fig. 7) sec ,of the lamps 99- has its outer terminal connected with the said, sec;

being numbered from tion-wires 121 to 128, respectively, each lam bein connected with one section-wire. Eac of the said section-wires is also connected by .a branch wire, starting off before the lamp is reached, with that segment 113 of the other group which is at the same distance from the gap se arating the two groups as the said lamp. hese branch wires are designated as 121 and so on. The operation of this form of my invention isas follows:

. Supposing the lever 86is swung to the right,-

' correspon s in position with sai (iopo so as to stand over the lam 1 of the faster group. This will first rint e bell 91 in the same manner as describe with reference to 'Fig. 6. Then as soon as the carbon 104 reaches the segment 93' which is in alinement with the said lamp 1 the following circuit is closed: main 80, segment 82, carbon 87, carbon 104, segment 93, wire124, section-Wire 124, the lamp 1 of the faster group at the engine apparaitusfsegment 101, return-wire 103, se ment 85, carbon 83, and main 81. .This wi I therefore cause the lamp 1 of the faster group to' be lighted at the engine apparatus. Then in orderto inform the officer that the order has been understood the engineer will swing the lever to the right until it stands over the lighted lam During suchmovement the'beil 110 be run as previously de scribed, and then upon t e carbon 112 comigg in contact with the first se ment 113 the lowing circuit will be close it being un-; derstood that the lever 86 at the orderin a aratus still stands over the lamp 1 o ti -1 c asterggmp: main 80, segment 82, carbon. 87, car 11.120, segment 94, lamp 1 of the faster group, section-wire 125, segment 113,

carbon 112, carbon '106, segment 101, re-

turn-wire 103, segment 85, carbon 83, and; main 81.

It will be seen that each of the section-wires 121 to 128 is connected with one lamp at the ordering ap aratus and at the engine ap aratus with t at se ment which lamp. Furthermore, at each of the said apparatus each section-wire is connected not only. with a lam but with a segment 93 or 113, res ectivizxy, belonging to the other oup an locat at the same distance as t c said lamp from the p separating the two groups.

-While have described the application of my invention to a helm-indicator and to an engine telegraph, it will be understood that it is applicable to other apparatus on board ship, such as a so-called steering-telegraph, or generically to any electric apparatus for transmitting to a distance intell ence or information concerning orders to be given, the position of'some movable part, or like pur- In regard to the division groups each of which has its se arate returnwire I desire to explain that the rule for obtaining a minimum of line-wires (which term inciudes section-wires and return-wires) con- 'Figs. 6 and 7 there of the signals into 'groups and the number of signals in each as possible equal to such s uare root. or instance, in the apparatus il ustrated by Fig. 1 there are fifteen signals. The square root of fifteen lies between three and four. I have accordingly arranged the signals in three grou s of five each.- The number of wires woul of course be the same if the signals were arranged in five groups of three each; but it is preferable to reduce the number of return-wires as far as possible, and therefore the arrangement of three groups of five each has been selected. Similarly, in are eight signals. The square root of ei ht lies between two and three. According the lamps have been arranged in two groups of four each, thus obgroup as near? taining two return-wires. The number of groups is therefore determined by the square root of the number of si als. This is done at least when it is desire to reduce the number of wires to an absolute minimum in accordance with my invention. The ordinary arrangement requires a separate sectionwire or each signal and a common returnwire for allthat is, anumber of line-wires which is equal to the number of signals lus one With my invention the number of ine- Wires is reduced to little more than twice the squareroot of the number of signals and in some cases to exactly twice'the square root,

(when the number of signals is an exactsquare.)

I claim as-my invention a 1. An electric apparatus for indicating the position of a movable part at a distance, comprising a transmitter and a receiver; said transmitter including the movable part, a plurality of contact-making means arranged to'move in unison with said part, a set of contact-plates adapted to be engaged by one of said contact-making means and divided into groups, another set of contact-plates adapted to be engaged by the other co'ntactmaking means and corresponding in number and position to the groups of the first-named contact-plates; the said receiver comprisin a set of signals corres onding in number to t e contact-plates of t e first set and divided into corresponding groups; return-wires extending from the transmitter to the receiver and each connecting one of the contactplates of the second set with one terminal of each signal of the same group; section-wires each connecting the other terminal of one signal in each group with as mar? contactp ates of the first set, and means or supply- 1ng an electric current to the circuit.

2. .An electric apparatus for indicating the position of a movable part at a distance, comprising a transmitter and a receiver; the said transmitter including-the movable art and two sets of cimuitmaking and breal ing devices, each the other terminalof said devices comprising) a stationary ember and a movable mem er controlled ysaid movable part, one member of one di said sets of contact making and breaking evices consisting of a plurality of contactlates arranged for engagement with the other member of said set and divided into groups, while one member of the other set 0 contact making and breaking devices consists of contact-plates adapted for engagement with the other member of said set and correspondin in number and extent to the groups of the first-named contact-plates;

the said receiver comprising a set of signals corresponding in number to the contactplates of the first set, and divided into corresponding groups; return-wires extending from the transmitter to the receiver, one for each group and each adapted to connect one of the contact-plates of the second set with one terminal of each signal of the same groups; section-wires each connected with of one signal in each group, and also connected with as many contact-plates of the first set, and means for supplying an electric current to the circuit.

3. An electric signaling apparatus comprising a transmitter and a receiver; the said transmitter including two sets of contact making and breaking devices, one of said sets having a number of contact members divided into groups, the other set having a number of contact members equal to the number of groups; the said receiver including as many signals as there are contact members in the first set of the transmitter, the said signals being divided into groups corresponding to those of the transmitter; section-wires each connected with one signal of each group and with the corresponding contact members of the first kind of the transmitter; returnwires extending from the transmitter to the receiver and each connected with all the signals of its own group and with one of the contact members of the second kind on the transmitter,

4. An electric signaling apparatus comprising a transmitter and a receiver; the said transmitter including two sets of contact making and breaking devices, one of such sets having a number of contact members divided into groups, the other set having a number of contact members equal to the number of groups; means for automatically throwing in the proper contact member of the second set whenever one of the contact members of the first set belonging to the corresponding roup is thrown in; the said receiver inclu ing as many signals as there are contact members in the first set of the transmitter, the said signals being divided into groups corresponding to those of the transmitter; section-wires each connected with one signal of each group and with the corresponding contact members of the first kind of section-wires equal the transmitter; returnavires each connected with all the signals of its own group and with one of the contact members of the second kind on the transmitter.

5. An electric signaling apparatus coniprising a receiver, a transmitter and connections between them; the said receiver including a number of signals arranged in groups; the said connections including a separate return-wire for each group and a number of section-wires equal to the number of signals in one group, each section-wire being connected with signals of different roups, and the signals of one group being afi connected with difierent section-wires; the said transmitter including a set of contact members, one for each signal, arranged in groups corresponding to the signal-groups, each section-wire being also connected With'contact members of difierent groups, and the contact members of one group being all connected with different section-wires, the transmitter further including a second set of contact members, one for each return-wire and connected therewith; means for supplying current to the circuit, and means for completing the circuit at the said contact members.

6. An electric signaling apparatus comprising a receiver, a transmitter and connections between them; the said receiver including a number of signals arranged in groups; the said connections including a separate return-wire for each group, and a'number of to the number of signals in one group, each of the section-wires being connected with signals of different groups, the si nals of one group being all connected with ifierent section-wires; the said transmitter including a set of contact members, one for each signal, arranged in groups corresponding to the signal-group each sectionwire being also connected widn contact Inembers of different groups, and" the contact members of one group being all connected with different section-wires; the transmitter further including a second set of contact members, one for each nected therewith; means for automatically throwingin the proper contact member of the second-kind whenever a contact member of the first kind belonging to the group which corres onds to said contact member of the secon kind is thrown in; means for supplying current to the circuit, and means for completing the circuit at the said contact members.

7. An electric signaling apparatus comprising a receiver, a transmitter and connections between them; the said receiver includ ing a number of signals arranged in groups; the said connections including a separate return-wire for each group and a number of section-wires, said section-wires being connected with signals of-difl'erent roups, and. the signals of one group being all connected return-wire and oon-v the said connections with diiierent section-wires; the said transmitter including a set one for each signal, arranged in groups corresponding to the'signal-groups, each sectionwire bein also connected with contact members of ifi'erent groups, and the contact members of one group being all connected with different section-wires; the transmitter further including a second set of contact members, one for each return-wire and connected therewith; means for supplyin current to the circuit, and means for comp eting the circuit at said contact members.

8. An electric signaling apparatus comprising a receiver, a transmitter and connections between them; the said receiver including a number of signals arranged in groups;

including a'separate return-wire for'each group and a number of section-Wires, said section-Wires being connected with signals of'different groups, and the si nals of one group being all connected with difierent section-wires; the said trans mitter including aset of contact members, one for each signal, arranged in groups corresponding. to the. signal-groups, each sectionwire bein also connected with contact members of ifi erent groups, and the contact members of one group being all connected with diflerent section-Wires; the transmitter further including a second set of contact members, one for each return-wire and connected therewith; means for suppling current to the circuit, means for compl eting the circuit at said contact members, and means whe'reb the proper contact member of the second hind is thrown in automaticall whenever a contact member of the first kind elonging to the correspond-in groupis thrown in.

9. An electric signa ing apparatus comprising a receiver including a number of signals arranged in groups, a separate returnwire for each group, a set of section-wires connected with said signals, and a transmitter having one set of devices for causing the current to flow through the several section-wires and another set of circuit-controlling devices for governing the connection of the individual return-wires.

' 10. An electric signaling apparatus comprising a receiver including a number of signals arranged in groups, the number of said groups beingdetermined by the square root of the number of signals, a separate return-Wire for each group each of said wires having a breakin it, section-wires connected with said signals, and a transmitter having means for controlling the flow of current through the individual section-wires, and also through the return-wires by closing the break therein.

11. An electric signaling apparatus comprising a receiver, a transmitter and connections between them; the said receiver including a number of signals arranged in groups; the said connections including a separate reof contact members,

turn-Wire for each group and a number of section-wires, the signals of one group being all connected with the said transmitter including a set of contact members, one for each signal, arranged in groups, corresponding to the signal-groups, the contact members of one group being all connected with different section-Wires; the transmitter further including a second set of contact members, one for each return-wire and connected therewith, means for supplying current to the circuit, and means for completing the circuit at said contact members.

12. An electric signaling apparatus comprising a receiver, a transmitter, and connections between them; the said receiver including a number of signals arranged in groups; the said connections including a separatereturn-Wire for each group and a number of section-wires, the signals of one group being all connected with different section-wires; the said transmitter including a set of contact members, one for each signal, arranged in groups corresponding to the signal-groups, the contact members of one group being all connected with different section-wires; the transmitter further including a second set of contact members, one for each return-wire and connected therewith; means for supplying current to the circuit, means for completing the circuit at the contact members of the first-named set, and means for automatically throwing in the proper return-wire throu h the contact member of the secondnamed set whenever a contact member of the first kind belonging to the corresponding group is thrown in.

13. An electric signaling apparatus comprising a receiver includinga number of signals arranged in groups, a se arate returnwire for each grou a set 0 section-wires connected with sai si ale, and a transmitter having one set of d e vices forcausing the current to flow through the several sectionwires, and another set of circuit-controlling devices, operatively connected with the first, for automatically throwing in the particular return-wire corresponding to the group which contains the signal to be actuated.

14. An electric signaling apparatus for ships comprising a receiver including a num-- ber of signals arranged in groups, a transmitter having two sets of contact members both controlled by the position of the ships rudder, one set including a contact member for each signal, and the other a contact member for each group, a separate return-wire for each group of signals, connected with the respective contact members of the second kind, and section-wires connecting the contact members of the first kind with the signals, the signals of one group being all connected with different section-wires.

15. An electric helm-indicator for ships,

different section-wires;

IIO

comprising a transmitter having two sets of contact members controlled by the position of the rudder, a receiver signals corresponding to the number of contact members in one set, said si arranged in groups the number 0 which corresponds to the number of contact members in the other set, a separate return-wire for each group of signals, connected with the respective contact members of the second set, and sectionewires connecting thesignals with v the contact members of the first set.

, t e lar er sets 16. An electric signaling apparatus comprising two receiver-transmitters each havmg a number of signals arranged in groups and also having two sets of contact members, one equal in number to the number of signals,

and the other to the number of groups, a sep- I arate return-wire for each group of the same a paratus, and SGClZIOD-WIIGS connected with of contact members.

17.. En electric signaling apparatus comhaving a number of als being scares prising two receiver-transmitters each having a number of signals arranged in groups, two sets of contact members, one corresponding in number to the number of signals, and the other to the number of groups, and a single device for controlling both sets of contact members; a separate return-wire for. each group of the same apparatus; and sectionwires each connecting a signal of one apparatus with the corresponding contact member of the other apparatus, and. also connecting a signal of the second-named apparatus with the corresponding contact member of the first-named apparatus.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GROVER SoEBLE.

Witnesses:

JonN LOTKA, JOHN A. KEHLENBECK. 

